Introduction - Coal Waste Impoundments: Risks, Responses, and Alternatives - page 12

The impoundment, upstream from several communities, was rated at
the time as high hazard. A 50-mile stretch of Coal River from Montcoal to
its mouth at St. Albans was visibly affected, and five water plants were
shut down. Although 1,700 customers' water supply was disrupted in the
Racine Public Service District, no human injuries or fatalities occurred as
a result of this incident.
SOURCE: Owens, 1987.
SIDEBAR 1.7 JANUARY 28, 1994: CONSOLIDATION COAL
COMPANY, MORGANTOWN, WEST VIRGINIA
On January 28, 1994, a 5-foot earthen berm failed at a slurry refuse
impoundment at the Arkwright Mine in Granville, West Virginia. Heavy rain
and melting snow resulted in 30 inches of water collecting behind the
berm; it was determined that the 4-inch discharge pipe and rock
underdrain at the site were insufficient to prevent water accumulation. The
incident released 375,000 gallons of water into the town of Granville.
Although no one was injured, three residences directly downstream were
damaged.
SOURCE: Betoney, 1994.
SIDEBAR 1.8 MAY 22, 1994: MARTIN COUNTY COAL
CORPORATION, DAVELLA, KENTUCKY
On May 22, 1994, a breakthrough occurred at Martin County Coal
Corporation's Big Hollow slurry impoundment in Davella, Kentucky. Nearly
32 million gallons of black water inundated an abandoned and sealed-off
portion of the mine. The breakthrough resulted either from collapse or
water penetration of the Coalburg coal seam bordering the impoundment.
Slurry had been impounded 32 feet higher than the coal seam's elevation.
The mine's 16-inch concrete-block seals held the black water inundating
the mine, but water broke through portal seals and a coal seam outcrop
barrier. Although the slurry level dropped by 6 feet, the embankment
structure was not damaged, and no injuries or fatalities occurred.
SOURCE: Stewart and Robinson, 1994.